The 2025 college football season is just about to kick off. Real football is finally back.

What does that mean–besides the obvious cause for celebration?

It’s time to look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft and what this upcoming season could mean for some of the best returning players in college football.

Yes, the NFL Draft might still be 8 months away, but the best players in the game are going to be building their draft stock as soon as this fall kicks off.

Who are the most elite talents in the country that could hear their names called in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? That’s what our team of A to Z Sports NFL Draft analysts asked ourselves with the season just around the corner. Eight of our analysts put our heads together and held the first “way too early” mock draft for the 2026 cycle. If you don’t like the draft order, just blame your favorite sports book since it’s based on reverse order of Super Bowl odds. Enjoy!

Way Too Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft

1. New Orleans Saints: Arch Manning, QB Texas

Disclaimer: I’m fully aware that it seems incredibly unlikely that Manning comes out in the 2026 NFL Draft. Rather, Manning remaining at Texas for another season past the upcoming one seems like a near foregone conclusion (especially given his grandfather’s recent comments). That being said, if the Saints end up with the top overall selection, that may be the perfect scenario for Manning to turn pro. It would also help their chances to land Manning if Texas wins the National Championship and the NFL legacy QB wins the Heisman Trophy. The family’s history with the franchise could sway him toward coming out too, but there’s no way to know that for certain right now. – Adam Holt

2. Cleveland Browns: T.J. Parker, EDGE Clemson

If none of the young QBs on the Browns can do enough to impress the team this year, then this pick would need to be a QB. I personally think Shedeur Sanders is going to do enough as a rookie to deter Cleveland from entertaining the first round QBs in the 2026 NFL Draft (perhaps later in the season). Instead, I have them taking T.J. Parker of Clemson to form an elite duo going forward with Myles Garrett. – Destin Adams

3. New York Giants: Caleb Lomu, OT Utah

The Giants are extremely close to rounding out what could be an incredibly stout offensive line. Caleb Lomu’s tools are incredibly intriguing, as he displays a natural feel for playing offensive tackle. Adding him opposite of Andrew Thomas would build a wall around new first round quarterback Jaxson Dart. – Joe DeLeone

4. New York Jets: LaNorris Sellers, QB South Carolina

The Jets have quietly built a roster with talent on both sides of the football, but have yet to solve the quarterback position. While Justin Fields could have some success in 2025, if the team is drafting this high, expect the team to target a quarterback of the future. Sellers has rare physical gifts and presents massive amounts of upside. He offers outstanding playmaking ability with both his arm and legs. – Brentley Weissman

5. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Downs, S Ohio State

Caleb Downs is too good to let drop down the board here. He was a Freshman All-American stud in year one while playing at Alabama. He got even better in shut down coverage in year two following his transfer to Ohio State, cutting his passer rating allowed down by over 30 points. Downs is an elite tackler, coverage wizard from any pre-snap position, and might be the best player in the nation regardless of position. The Titans could likely use some help in their secondary next year, so why take any other player? – Travis May

6. Carolina Panthers: Carnell Tate, WR Ohio State

Tetairoa McMillan has a chance to be a real difference maker for the Panthers here soon, but you can never have enough options on the perimeter (and Carolina doesn’t have very many). Bryce Young gets himself another vertical threat here in Carnell Tate after a final breakout season for Ohio State. – Rob Gregson

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Peter Woods, DT Clemson

As things stand right now, Peter Woods going seventh overall would be a dream scenario for the Las Vegas Raiders. After moving on from Christian Wilkins, they need an explosive defensive tackle on the inside, and Woods is as explosive as they come. – Tyler Forness

8. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB Tennessee

The Miami Dolphins’ cornerback room is a barren picture moving forward. Cam Smith and Storm Duck are the only tenured players at cornerback under contract beyond the 2025 season. Jermod McCoy appears to be recovering well from a 2024 ACL injury and boasts prolific ball skills to go along with ideal size to play the perimeter. – Kyle Crabbs

9. New England Patriots: Jordyn Tyson, WR Arizona State

Love this value for the Patriots. Jordyn Tyson is the top wideout in the 2026 NFL Draft class at the moment, and he would immediately compete for a starting role in New England’s offense. Tyson’s smooth route running and professional frame make him an enticing round one prospect for 2026. The Patriots keep adding weapons for Drake Maye. – Adam Holt

10. Indianapolis Colts: Cade Klubnik, QB Clemson

The topic on everyone’s mind involving the Colts in training camp is the ongoing QB battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. No matter who wins there is still a world where neither does enough to keep the team out of the QB market in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cade Klubnik is my top QB in the class, and that would still be the case even if I thought Arch Manning was going to declare. If Klubnik is on the board here for the Colts it would take a great 2025 season from Richardson to deter me from drafting him. He hasn’t done that yet, so I have the Colts resetting their rookie QB contract window by moving on from Richardson and selecting the dynamic Clemson QB. – Destin Adams

11. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Garrett Nussmeier, QB LSU

With their first pick in this mock draft the Browns opted not to go quarterback. With Nussmeier still on the board, they can’t pass up a chance to take another swing at finding their franchise signal caller. Nussmeier has plus arm strength and flashes strong playmaking ability. If he cuts down his turnovers from last year, he’ll firmly be in the mix for the top 15 selections overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. – Joe DeLeone

12. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana

Los Angeles is playing it year by year with Matthew Stafford, and there is a good chance that the 2025 season could be his last with the Rams. With the Rams likely in the market for a quarterback, head coach Sean McVay takes a swing at the talented passer from Indiana. Mendoza is a natural thrower of the football, showcasing excellent accuracy, touch, and instincts. – Brentley Weissman

13. Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah World, OT Oregon

Isaiah World is a monstrous force of a man at 6’8″, 320 pounds with great length and every physical trait the NFL is going to love. He dominated last season at Nevada. If he finds anywhere near the same level of success in his first season with the Oregon Ducks there is virtually no way he doesn’t find himself going early in the NFL Draft. The Seahawks still haven’t quite gotten their offensive line figured out, but World should help. – Travis May

14. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE Auburn

Keldric Faulk is an incredibly gifted edge rusher when it comes to his physical traits. If he continues to show development this year for the Tigers, we could be looking at a consensus top ten player in the class. Amid all the uncertainty with Micah Parsons and Dallas’ lack of depth off the edge, this pick makes all the sense in the world. – Adam Holt

15. Chicago Bears: Kadyn Proctor, OT Alabama

When Ben Johnson was with the Detroit Lions, they made the offensive line a massive priority. That has already been a primary focus of the Bears after fixing the interior of the offensive line this offseason. Kadyn Proctor is a mammoth left tackle who is a mauler. The one question will be if Proctor will be a good enough athlete to thrive at left tackle. – Tyler Forness

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame

The timeless wonder that is James Conner is under contract in 2026 but he will also be playing his age-31 season in 2026. The Cardinals’ offense is built around the run game and a prolific player like Jeremiyah Love could help ensure that this offense stays ahead of the sticks and in favorable situations for the foreseeable future. – Kyle Crabbs

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB Penn State

One way or another, the Steelers are drafting a quarterback in 2026. And it will likely happen sooner rather than later. Drew Allar of Penn State has the physical traits to be their next Big Ben. It’s too easy a pick, even if he’s rough around the edges heading into his final season. – Rob Gregson

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: L.T. Overton, EDGE Alabama

Having Tom Brady under center obviously played a major role in the Buccaneers being considered contenders from 2020 to 2022. The dominance of their defense in that span also deserves a ton of credit though. They need to add constant pressure off the edge, and many believe L.T. Overton is going to take that next step as a player with a larger role in 2025. If he has a career year and can show significant improvement as a pass rusher, I’d say he will be in serious consideration for the Buccaneers and multiple other teams in this portion of the first round. – Destin Adams

19. Denver Broncos: Max Klare, TE Ohio State

The Broncos offense is rounding into form, but they still need a dynamic young weapon at tight end. Evan Engram was a nice add this offseason, but pairing him with Max Klare would make for a scary tight end unit in Denver. Klare is a very fluid mover that can be a huge threat before and after the catch. – Joe DeLeone

20. Houston Texans: Spencer Fano, OT Utah

Spencer Fano should not make it to pick 20, but if he does then the Houston Texans will sprint to the podium. The Texans took a blow torch to their offensive line this offseason and will be working with a nearly completely new unit. Adding the most dominant run blocking offensive tackle who was also absolutely elite in pass protection last year, giving up just one sack, should be a high priority. – Travis May

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Avieon Terrell, CB Clemson

The Chargers’ defense figures to be one of the best in the NFL this season, but there are still a few holes the team could fill. Adding a young corner to the unit would make sense as the team currently lacks a true CB1. Terrell has NFL bloodlines and is an outstanding athlete. He has excellent ball skills and playmaking ability on the boundary. – Brentley Weissman

22. Cincinnati Bengals: Malik Muhammad, CB Texas

You really can’t miss when it comes to giving the Bengals a defender, but after spending the past few drafts addressing the front seven, it’s time to draft a starting corner, and Malik Muhammad can be just that. – Rob Gregson

23. Minnesota Vikings: Keith Abney, CB Arizona State

When you look at the Vikings roster, there isn’t much to be concerned about. The biggest is at the cornerback position. They have Byron Murphy Jr., but question marks after him throughout the depth chart. After focusing on the trenches the last two off-seasons, now is the time to attack the secondary. Abney is a sticky man coverage cornerback with good instincts who can learn and develop very well in Brian Flores’ defense. – Tyler Forness

24. San Francisco 49ers: Francis Mauigoa, OT Miami

The 49ers have traditionally been a team that is content to draft and develop offensive linemen. It’s worked, to be fair. But with Trent Williams in the final chapters of his career, getting some top of the line physical traits to help define the future makes sense. Mauigoa is a supersized mauler with athleticism who could operate any run scheme. – Kyle Crabbs

25. Los Angeles Rams: AJ Harris, CB Penn State

A bit of a cornerback run continues here. AJ Harris is the fourth one to go in five picks here late in round one. The Rams have some veteran pieces in their secondary, but I do believe that cornerback remains a need. I have some concerns about their outside CB starting potential and depth. Harris would slot in for that role and checks a lot of boxes for an NFL cornerback. – Adam Holt

26. Washington Commanders: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE Oregon

2024 was a great year to be a Commanders fan. Not only do they believe they have found their franchise QB after a lot of searching but Jayden Daniels’ success also led to team success as he led the team to the NFC championship as a rookie. Many thought they’d be aggressive in the offseason to add talent to try and go all in on Daniels’ during his rookie contract. They certainly took some big swings landing Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, but still have multiple glaring needs, especially on defense.

A spot they need to address in the near future is edge rusher as they must the find the player who can lead that room for the foreseeable future. Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei had a breakout season in 2024 where he erupted for 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. This year we get to find out if he has yet another production jump up his sleeves. If he does, we will probably be talking about him as a top 10 pick, let alone a first round pick. – Destin Adams

27. Green Bay Packers: Domani Jackson, CB Alabama

After parting ways with Jaire Alexander this offseason, the Packers desperately need to inject first round talent into their secondary. Domani Jackson is a long and instinctual corner prospect with the burst to close down any gap. He can be the next great shut down corner in Green Bay. – Joe DeLeone

28. Detroit Lions: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE Miami

Detroit has invested in its front seven recently, but could still use some help at the edge opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Rueben Bain Jr. falling this far in the draft would be a bit of a surprise, but if he does, the Lions would run to the podium. Bain Jr. has excellent power and explosiveness that could play inside or outside. – Brentley Weissman

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Nicholas Singleton, RB Penn State

Nicholas Singleton is the perfect feature back athletic specimen who measures in at 6’1″, 220 pounds, and runs some of the fastest verified GPS on-field speeds (consistently over 20 mph) in all of college football every single week. He struggled a bit in 2023 as he was looking to make the home run play too often, but he cleaned things up in 2024 and was truly elite last season.

Not only did he force a ton of missed tackles in the run game while improving with more efficient decisions (with a much higher first down rate), but he also proved to be an elite receiver. His 1.62 yards per route run is better than many slot wide receivers, and he was doing that as a running back. Singleton is the complete package that the Chiefs need to take their offense back to a spectacular level. – Travis May

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Dillon Thieneman, S Oregon

There are very few holes on the Eagles’ roster. However, if you want to pick nits, you have to look at safety and see room for improvement. Why not take one of the best on the board to close out round one with Dillon Thieneman? – Rob Gregson

31. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR Washington

The Bills do have Keon Coleman who was just a second round pick last year, but he struggled mightily in the biggest area where he failed in college: getting separation. Boston, the son of former NFL wide receiver David Boston, is built just like his dad as a prototypical X-receiver. Josh Allen needs a reliable outside wide receiver, and Boston can provide that and then some. – Tyler Forness

32. Baltimore Ravens: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE Penn State

Baltimore is set to see Odafe Oweh hit free agency after this season and Kyle Van Noy’s presence as an aging veteran should be considered a year-to-year situation. Oweh’s length and density gives him a unique role to play within the edge room—one that Dennis-Sutton could be groomed to fill as the Ravens look to keep defensive costs down amid a ton of looming contracts that need handing out. – Kyle Crabbs

That’s all folks! The 2025 college football season is about to kick off, so we’ll see how these top 32 players actually help or hurt their stock here soon. Let us all know which player(s) we missed.

We’ll be back with more NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!